Prophecy and Tongues

1Earnestly pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you might prophesy. 2For the one speaking in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God. For no one hears, but in the Spirit he utters mysteries. 3But the one prophesying speaks to men for edification and encouragement and consolation. 4The one speaking in a tongue edifies himself, but the one prophesying edifies the church.

5Now I desire you all to speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy. Now the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues, unless he should interpret, so that the church might receive edification.

6But now brothers, if I should come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you, unless I should speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching? 7Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether the flute or harp, unless they give distinction to the sounds, how will it be known what is being piped or being harped?

8And indeed if the trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you, unless you give intelligible speech with the tongue, how will it be known what is being spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

10There are, if it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. 11Therefore unless I know the power of the sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking, a barbarian to me.

12So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, search for the edification of the church, that you should cause it to abound. 13Therefore he who speaks in a tongue, let him pray that he might interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, but also I will pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but also I will sing praise with the mind. 16Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will the one filling the place of the uninstructed say the “Amen” at your thanksgiving, since he knows not what you say? 17For truly you are giving thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18I thank God, speaking in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church, I desire to speak five words with my mind, that also I might instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brothers, do not be children in the minds. Yet in the evil, be little children; but in the thinking, be full grown. 21In the Law it has been written:

“By other tongues,

and by other lips,

I will speak to this people,

and not even thus will they hear Me,

says the Lord.”a

22So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those believing, but to the unbelieving; but prophecy is not to the unbelieving, but to the believing.

23Therefore if the whole church gathers together in one place and all should speak in tongues, but uninstructed ones or unbelievers come in, will not they say that you are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or uninstructed should come in, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all, 25and the secrets of his heart become manifest. And thus having fallen upon his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

Orderly Worship

26What then is it, brothers? When you may come together, each has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

27If anyone speaks with a tongue, let it be by two or the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

29And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern. 30But if a revelation should be made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. 31For you are all able to prophesy one by one, so that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. 32And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For He is not the God of disorder, but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, 34let the women be silent in the churches. For it is not allowed to them to speak, but to be in submission, as the Law also says. 35But if they desire to learn anything, let them ask the own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

36Or has the word of God gone out from you? Or has it come to you only? 37If anyone considers himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things I write to you are the commands of the Lord. 38But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignored.b

39So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40But let all things be done properly and with order.